After reviewing the article Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up, I feel as though those who have no faith want to exercise their right to criticize those who do. The Separation of Church and State is always a public debate. This nation was founded on freedom and I believe the forefathers of this nation did not intend on any person being ridiculed for exercising their faith in public. Their idea of separation of church and state had more to do with the controlling power of religion and how it had been used to manipulate people and government in the history of the world. Furthermore, how could all men be equal if they were judged by their faith?
My personal faith leads me down a more inclusive path that says respect the views of others, which I feel a moment of silence does in schools. A silent moment can be used for anything and that at its core is where the beauty lies. I do not think religion should be woven into the curriculum of school, but I do not think we should limit the way people express their faith either. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states in Articles 17 and 18 “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” (1948). These are personal rights displayed in a public forum.
We talk about the differences in ethnicity and culture being respected and celebrated in schools. Yet we suppress the idea that it is okay to have differences in religion. The law makers have taken a broad look at this issue and blanketed the entire nation with rigid regulations that limit our freedoms as students and teachers. Many cannot be themselves because expressing their faith is part of who they are. Their faith shapes their values and philosophies. I think the focus is askew. We really should focus less on shutting up the religious and more on respecting the differences we all have. Our rights are to be different and be able to express those openly with regard to the rights of others.
Ultimately the big debate for many is prayer in school. The Supreme Court decided that it was wrong for school administrators to write and read prayers over the intercom in 1962. (Nettlehorst). Well I can say as a Christian and an American that I agree with this decision. I do not want just anyone influencing my children about religion. A good example is the prayer that was recently prayed at the Nashville Superspeedway by Joe Nelms. (Inav, 2011). While I am certain that there were many who found it funny, in my opinion his prayer was irreverent and I certainly would not want him influencing my children’s faith in jest, in school, at the race track or anywhere. This is a healthy boundary of freedom and a great example of why we need some boundaries.
There is always a spectrum of thought when debating a topic. You have those who are far in one direction or the other. Really the best representation is somewhere in between the two groups. You can look across history and see many who valued the separation of church and state with deep understanding and moderation. During the State of the Union Address to Congress in 1875 Ulysses S. Grant made a point of stating (as cited in Nettelhurst), “Declare church and state forever separate and distinct, but each free within their proper spheres…” (1897, pp. 4310). I possess the same opinions and I am entitled to my moment of silence. It will likely be the only moment of silence I get all day. It will make me a better teacher.
Resources
Calefait, J. (2009). Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up. Retrieved from US News. Retrieved from https://elearn.mtsu.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=2975445&tId=19133302.
Inav, T. (Poster). (July 23, 2011). NASCAR Pastor Prayer. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E8EYTyACQk.
Nettlehorst, R.P. Notes of the Founding Fathers and the Separation of Church and State. retrieved from Quartz Hill School of Theology. Retrieved from http://www.theology.edu/journal/volume2/ushistor.htm
United Nations General Assembly. (1948). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from United Nations Organization. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Historical Perspectives Entry #1
After viewing the PBS link Education Innovators and the Gatto link The Real Makers of Public Schools I found that history speaks for itself in the focus of each person’s biography. The “Innovators” focused their efforts on the development of education and the “Makers” focused on industry. Each Innovator prioritized the development of education in their life’s work and seemed to focus more on the betterment of the education system overall. Whereas the Makers industry forced them to take an interest in education on different levels, but few personally took an active interest in their own education or the education of others. In my opinion the Makers making contributions to education had direct benefits for their investments, but only came as a result of their wealth.
When I read about all of the Innovators the one that struck me most was Horace Mann. Mann really paved the way for public education and started the slow wheels of change that brought about the system we currently have today. I am not certain that Mann would support all of the changes we have made, but feel that overall he wanted to see education be made available to everyone who had a desire to learn. I am sure that Mann would feel that the small steps he made were a foundation for the giant leaps that the other Innovators kept making over the decades that followed.
Although John D. Rockefeller founded a college, Andrew Carnegie, in my opinion was the Maker who made the biggest impact on education. After establishing his wealth, he really shifted his focus and gave away nearly 350 million dollars to see over 2,500 public libraries set up around the world. Although he did not tackle public education head on, he clearly desired to see people have access to a means of education through books.
I can sympathize with Gatto in that big businesses hold the key to the world. After all money does make the world go ‘round. Without people having jobs and generating income it is not possible to fund public education. However I see big business as the new slavery in that it drives peoples’ materialism and then enslaves them to work in the highest paying job instead of the field of education. Most people can’t satisfy their personal desires on an educator’s salary. Thus many feel enslaved to their high-paying industry job because of their mortgages and other self-inflicted monetary demands. Few people can bring themselves to be teachers because it simply does not pay enough.
America has come a long way in prioritizing education. Although not all intelligent people acquire an advanced education, I think everyone would agree that education opens doors and gives people more options. The economy we have been so blessed to build in this nation has helped fund public education and encourage further education for anyone who desires to pursue it. There is a delicate balance in an educated society between those who study, those who teach, and those who work to build the economy. I am thankful to have been born and lived in a time when education was available and encouraged; there are many people who have not had that same privilege.
When I read about all of the Innovators the one that struck me most was Horace Mann. Mann really paved the way for public education and started the slow wheels of change that brought about the system we currently have today. I am not certain that Mann would support all of the changes we have made, but feel that overall he wanted to see education be made available to everyone who had a desire to learn. I am sure that Mann would feel that the small steps he made were a foundation for the giant leaps that the other Innovators kept making over the decades that followed.
Although John D. Rockefeller founded a college, Andrew Carnegie, in my opinion was the Maker who made the biggest impact on education. After establishing his wealth, he really shifted his focus and gave away nearly 350 million dollars to see over 2,500 public libraries set up around the world. Although he did not tackle public education head on, he clearly desired to see people have access to a means of education through books.
I can sympathize with Gatto in that big businesses hold the key to the world. After all money does make the world go ‘round. Without people having jobs and generating income it is not possible to fund public education. However I see big business as the new slavery in that it drives peoples’ materialism and then enslaves them to work in the highest paying job instead of the field of education. Most people can’t satisfy their personal desires on an educator’s salary. Thus many feel enslaved to their high-paying industry job because of their mortgages and other self-inflicted monetary demands. Few people can bring themselves to be teachers because it simply does not pay enough.
America has come a long way in prioritizing education. Although not all intelligent people acquire an advanced education, I think everyone would agree that education opens doors and gives people more options. The economy we have been so blessed to build in this nation has helped fund public education and encourage further education for anyone who desires to pursue it. There is a delicate balance in an educated society between those who study, those who teach, and those who work to build the economy. I am thankful to have been born and lived in a time when education was available and encouraged; there are many people who have not had that same privilege.
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